Spy Shots: Volkswagen T-Roc R Laps Nurburgring

A high-performance version of the Golf-based Volkswagen T-Roc compact family car is in the making and our German spy photographers have snapped some images of a prototype blitzing around the Nurburgring. Here’s what we know about the T Roc R…

Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

The new Volkswagen T-Roc was revealed back in 2017 and we examined the T-Roc in the metal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the same year. Now, a high-performance version is in development and these latest spy photographs show the T-Roc R testing at the Nurburgring. Previous spy images of the T-Roc R showed a prototype in a standard T-Roc body, but these latest images give us an indication of what the actual production T-Roc R will look like.

Although the T-Roc R is hiding under camouflage, its larger wheels, brake discs, quad exhaust tips and roof spoiler point to its performance intent. Other differentiating details include more aggressive front and rear bumpers, larger air intakes and a rear diffuser. The T-Roc R also has lowered suspension which has been stiffened to complement its sportiness. This test mule is also wearing LED headlights and taillights which will likely feature on the production version too.

An uprated version of the Golf R's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is expected to make its way into the T-Roc R.

As for engine power, Volkswagen will fettle with the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine from the Golf R and lower it into the T-Roc R's engine bay and it will likely offer in the region of 228 kW. For reference, in the Golf R, this engine develops 213 kW and 380 Nm of torque in the SA market. The engine is expected to be mated with a 7-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive is likely.

Sadly, the Volkswagen T-Roc is not destined for South Africa and therefore the T-Roc R won't grace our roads either. It will, however, go up against products such as the Audi RSQ3, Mercedes-AMG GLA45, Mini JCW and potentially the Audi SQ2 (which is in development), when it goes on sale in other markets in 2019.

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Gero Lilleike is a published writer and photographer with most of his work appearing in the fields of travel and motoring. Gero has worked in the motoring space for the last four years and enjoys driving and photographing the latest cars. You can read Gero's work right here on Cars.co.za.